Fentanyl Lollipops? Top Border Patrol Doctor Asked Staff for Narcotics Before UN Meeting In New York: Whistleblowers
The whistleblowers also allege Dr. Alexander Eastman was already under investigation for trying to procure narcotics for a friend who worked as a chopper pilot for the border agency.
By Tyler Durden
February 18, 2024
Several whistleblowers allege that the chief medical officer for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pressured his staff to smuggle fentanyl lollipops to a September United Nations General Assembly Meeting in New York last September, according to a report submitted to Congress on Friday.
According to NBC News, Dr. Alexander Eastman’s staff thought it was really strange that their boss would need to order fentanyl lollipops to take with him.
What’s more, his explanation was hilarious; he might need them as part of his duties in case any injured CBP operators needed pain management, should an emergency occur.
“Eastman spent copious hours of his and Office of the Chief Medical Officer staff time directing the OCMO staff to urgently help him procure fentanyl lollipops, a Schedule II narcotic, so that he could bring them on the CBP Air and Marine Operations helicopter on which he would be a passenger in New York City,” the whistleblowers alleged in their letter.
“Dr. Eastman claims that his possession of fentanyl lollipops was necessary in case a CBP operator might be injured, or in case the CBP Air and Marine Operations team encountered a patient in need.”
Customs and Border Protection is the chief agency responsible for detecting and stopping the illegal flow of fentanyl into the U.S. across international borders.
Eastman’s staff initially responded to his request by explaining that Narcan, which can save the lives of those who overdose on fentanyl, has been requested for CBP operations in the past, but not fentanyl itself.
The whistleblowers say staff members raised questions about how he would store the lollipops and what he would do with unused fentanyl at the end of the operation, according to the report. -NBC News
Eastman responded to his staff's questions by writing his own policy regarding the procurement of Schedule II narcotics - which failed to outline how narcotics would be stored and disposed of the whistleblowers allege.
He was ultimately unsuccessful in his bid for the lollipops because a vendor could not be found in time for the UN General Assembly - a meeting of diplomats and heads of state to discuss international issues.
While it would be unusual for the CBP's top medical officer to attend, he said that he needed to go because CBP's Air and Marine Operations division was assisting the Secret Service with security.
The whistleblowers, represented by the nonprofit Government Accountability Project, also allege Eastman was under investigation by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility at the time regarding improper ordering and securing of narcotics for a friend who is a pilot for Air and Marine Operations. The friend worked as a helicopter pilot for Air and Marine Operations in New York during the General Assembly, the report says. -NBC News
Eastman was promoted to acting chief medical officer in June after the agency made an abrupt change in leadership following the death of an 8-year-old girl in CBP custody, who died after on-site medical personnel allegedly ignored warning signs and ignored her mother.
In a statement, a CBP spokesperson said, “CBP takes all allegations of misconduct seriously. This matter has been referred to the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) for review. Consistent with our commitment to transparency and accountability, we will provide updates as they are available.”
Eastman was installed as acting chief medical officer in June when the agency made an abrupt change in medical leadership following the death of an 8-year-old girl in CBP custody after on-site medical personnel allegedly ignored warning signs and pleas from her mother.
According to his LinkedIn page, Eastman is still in the job as chief medical officer for CBP.
I went to our local emergency room to have a foot wound situation fixed. The Emergency room nurse was on-the-ball alert and efficient. The doctor showed up eyes dilated and goofier than a loon. My childhood friend's father was a doctor and would occasionally appear with the same Red Skelton face antics and dilated eyes. Darvon John. Just try to get a real pain killer when they are debriding and scrubbing already tenderized meat. The doctor probably already chugged them down with a sherry.